Written By krishna on Saturday, May 28, 2011 | 3:45 AM

Kerala government today cancelled the licence for production of endosulfan given to public sector Hindustan Insecticide Limited, Kochi in view of government decision to ban the pesticide's sale in the state.

The decision to quash the licence was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy attended by representaives of company management, labour unions and officials of Pollution Control Board, Health Minister Adoor Prakash told reporters here.

The state has been witnessing protests for the past several years demanding total ban on production and use of endosulfan against the background of severe environment and health problems it caused to people of Kasaragode district where the pesticide was used in cashew plantations.

The meeting, however, gave permission for HIL to continue production of their other products on certain conditions, Prakash said.

Permission for production of other products was given on the company's assurance that they would remove the solid wastes within a limited period, Prakash added.